MBA Admissions Tip: 3 Ways to Show an MBA Program That You Mean Business
During the MBA application process, you’ll need to learn more about your target programs in the process of rounding out your “why are you pursuing an MBA/why [school name here]” essays. Keeping this important component of the MBA admissions process in mind, we wanted to offer some advice on how to polish this element of your file and get the most mileage out of this section.
MBA Admissions is Personal
Schools look for applicants who seem genuinely excited about their program, and the best way to bring this across in your essays is to come right out and say it. Many applicants are well-researched, but present their findings in the form of objective facts. The adcom will already know whether their program features a flexible curriculum, is very strong in marketing, or offers an international focus. What they don’t know – and what you should be explaining in your essays – is what you find exciting and appealing, and why. Stating your interest in a school by connecting its offerings to your goals and interests is a great way to help the adcom understand (and ideally get them to agree with) your opinion that you would be a good fit with the program.
Cite Your Sources
In addition to hearing about your impressions of the program, the adcom will also wonder how you arrived at your conviction that their program is right for you. Did you attend a virtual information session or an MBA tour? Visit the campus? Sit in on a class? Contact the heads of student clubs? Speak with alumni in your current or target field? Comb through student blogs and other online sources of information? Sharing the steps you’ve taken to familiarize yourself with the school will showcase the effort you have put into learning about the program and will also add credibility to your comments about your commitment.
Keep it Tailored
Just as it’s important to mention aspects of the curriculum or community that make a particular school unique in comparison to others, it’s also essential that you highlight how your own interests and goals guide your discussion of school-specific elements. This approach will not only have the benefit of showing off the research you’ve done on the program in question, but will also help you to stand out from other applicants by virtue of your unique goals and interests. Sure, it’s reasonable to mention the core curriculum, as this is an important aspect of the business education, but because this could be a draw for any applicant to a given program, you would be better served by focusing on those classes that are most relevant to your particular educational needs.
MBA Admissions Academy
Episode 12: Essays I: The Basics
MBA Applywire
Undergrad in managerial economics GPA 3.6, and masters in applied economics GPA 3.7. Over 5 years in economic consulting for mid-tier firms. Recent involuntary departure from last firm. Somewhat worried about letters of rec given that circumstance. Want to pivot into corporate side like strategic finance, probably in tech or maybe energy.
Nationality: Ghanaian
Current Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Industry: Banking & Financial Services
Current Role: Finance
Years of Experience: 6 years
Education: BSc Accounting; MSc Business Consulting & Enterprise Risk Management
GRE: 332/340
A Ghanaian finance professional with six years of experience across the Telecommunication, Fintech, Reinsurance and Banking sectors. Currently based in Abidjan, working in finance control a within a leading bank.
Previously worked in the reinsurance industry, gaining experience across fixed asset accounting, staff debtor reconciliations, bank reconciliations, financial reporting, statutory payments, and internal controls. Was also selected by the Director of Finance to serve on a committee responsible for updating the organization's accounting manual, providing valuable exposure to accounting processes, controls, and organizational improvement.
Beyond professional experience, has demonstrated a strong commitment to community impact. Since 2020, has worked with friends through a community initiative providing food to underserved communities and street hawkers across Ghana, reaching more than 6,000 people. Has also participated in community development and school improvement projects.
Holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting and is pursuing graduate-level studies in Business Consulting and Enterprise Risk Management.
An MBA will provide me with the opportunity to build stronger capabilities in strategy, leadership, and financial management while transitioning from technical finance roles into broader leadership positions in banking and financial services. The long-term goal is to combine finance expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership to contribute to the growth and development of Africa's financial sector.
First off, I'm a huge fan of the podcast—I've listened to nearly every episode for the last two years, and it's a little surreal that I'm now submitting my profile. I'm excited to put into practice everything Alex and Graham have taught me!
I graduated over four years ago from a well-known and respected university with a degree in Biophysics and have spent my career in medical device sales, primarily in surgical robotics. I spent three years at a Fortune 500 medical device company, with a lateral/upward move halfway through, before joining a mid-sized robotics company prominent in urology (though probably less familiar to AdCom) a year and a half ago. I've since been promoted there as well. My experience includes launching new hospital programs and onboarding surgeons to new technologies, and I can secure two strong recommendations.
I want to pursue an MBA because I believe AI will revolutionize surgery, and I want to help ensure those changes benefit patients. Having worked with two different surgical robots in very different specialties, I've seen how powerful the combination of robotics and AI could become, as well as the potential for misuse. I want to work with clinicians to develop technology that genuinely improves patient care rather than eliminating the need for physicians, as several prominent technology leaders have suggested. I believe healthcare resembling what we see in Star Trek could be possible within this generation.
My goal is to use an MBA to transition into a strategic role in surgical robotics. My current role has given me on-the-ground knowledge of how operating rooms function and what matters to patients and clinicians; an MBA would allow me to apply those insights to developing new technology. Short term, I hope to join a leadership development program at a top robotics company. Long term, I aim for a strategic leadership role at a leading robotics company or cutting-edge startup—wherever the strongest technology is being developed.
Outside of work, I'm highly active in my church, including roles serving in leadership, teaching children, and as my congregation's organist. In college, I captained multiple intramural sports teams and was a team lead in a research lab. I also enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing and scuba diving (I'm a certified Rescue Diver) and have completed several triathlons.
Beyond a general review of my profile, my biggest question is the GMAT. I scored a 705, including 80th-percentile Quant, which I'm happy with, but I think I could potentially gain another 10–20 points, especially with the new superscoring feature. My problem is time: I have a demanding work travel schedule, and my wife and I are in the process of adopting a baby. Preparing for a retake would likely mean sacrificing 1–2 months that I could otherwise spend networking with current students and strengthening my applications.
I know there's some subjectivity, but is pursuing another 10–20 GMAT points worth that tradeoff, or would my time be better spent focusing on preparing my applications? Again, thanks to the ClearAdmit community for all that you do!
First-gen/low-income college student.
Earned a top-ranked M.A. in humanities discipline post-undergrad, 3.9 GPA.